Understanding the Origin of the Explorers: ‘Principles of Discovery and Conquest’

To understand the connection of the Vatican’s ‘principles of discovery’ with the behavior of the explorers and conquistadors, we need to begin by examining a papal document issued forty years before Columbus’ historic voyage.

“In 1452, Pope Nicholas V issued the proclamation or ‘bull’ (called) Romanus Pontifex, declaring war against all non-Christians throughout the world, and specifically sanctioning and promoting the conquest, colonization, and exploitation of non-Christian nations and their territories.” So this “bull” was the origin of the war on the world by the Vatican with all their missionaries and military.

To widen your world view of that era; in 1453, Muslims had taken over Constantinople. These warriors would kill anyone who ventured from West to East, by land or by sea. Europeans had been able to trade goods with the Easterners for hundreds of years. But with radical Islam controlling the trade routes and killing those who would not convert to Islam and pay tribute, European’s were motivated to find a new source for supplies they had become used to having.

“In Spain, a lot of the money Queen Isabella used to finance the explorations of Columbus came from the seizure and sale of properties owned by Spanish Jews and Muslims.” “On March 30, 1492, she issued an edict demanding that Jews and Muslims either convert to Catholicism, leave the country, or be executed.” The Queen expected Columbus to create an impressive return on her investment in his voyages. http://www.danielnpaul.com/ChristopherColumbus.html

The forcefulness of the ongoing wars throughout Europe and Asia initiated anti-Islamic fervor in the Christians. The desire for adventure, the hope of conquests and the lust for gold motivated many ship captains’ to dream of finding a way around the spice trade route blockages. But it was European’s genuine need for a reliable supply of herbs and spices for medicine, cooking, and preserving, that combined to create the explosion of energy that launched Columbus’ first voyage as a great triumph of hope.

For more useful information about Panama, Panama history, and moving to Panama contact one of our experts today.